Introduction
The first royal visit to the Falkland Islands was by Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh who arrived Friday 24 February 1871 on board HMS Galatea. He had a very busy schedule; on the afternoon of his arrival he rode ten miles to a penguin rookery. On the Saturday he went on a shooting expedition and in the evening he received Stanley society at Government House. On the Sunday he remained on board HMS Galatea. On the Monday he went on an expedition to Mare Harbour and remained there until the Wednesday evening shooting guanacos, wild geese, duck, snipe, etc. On the Thursday bad weather prevented a visit to shoot seal on the Volunteer Rocks. The weather moderated by the evening so Prince Alfred entertained Stanley society at dinner on board ship. HMS Galatea departed for Montevideo Friday 3 March 1871 under a royal salute from the battery.
Ten years later Prince Albert Victor and Prince George (later King George V) arrived 24 January 1881 on HMS Bacchante after a stormy passage from Montevideo. They were intending to stay a week but on the 25th the squadron received orders to depart immediately for the Cape of Good Hope.
The next royal visit was in 1895. The Falkland Islands Magazine reported ‘The “Catrina” Royal Yacht Squadron, arrived Feb 20th with Lord Carnarvon and Prince Victor Dhulep Singh on board.’ ‘The “Catarina” returned on February 28th, from shooting about the Islands. She towed in from Port William the disabled “Thomas Stephens”. The “Catarina” sailed for Montevideo, March 2nd.’
Sir Jehangar Hormasji Kothari, Kt, OBE, a Member of the Bombay Legislative Council visited from 20 to 23 May 1928 and while in Stanley was hosted by Governor Hodson who invited him to the annual bazaar in aid of Christ Church Cathedral. A special programme of dances in honour of Sir Jehangir who was delighted with all that he saw and heard and donated £100 to the bazaar funds.
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, visited the Falkland Islands as part of a Commonwealth tour on the royal yacht Britannia, arriving 7 January 1957.
Prince Philip at Stanley Racecourse 1957 – FIC Collection, JCNA
From 1982 to present date there have been regular royal visits and these were reported on in local periodicals.
The majority of official proclamations and announcements to do with royalty were gazetted which are available under Online Collections - Government.
Coronations
Government Files
ROY-COR-1-2. Coronation of His Majesty King Edward VIIIth.pdf3.21 MB
ROY-COR-1-5. Issue of coronation medals.pdf2.33 MB
ROY-COR-1-6. Fireworks display on the occasion of the coronation of His Majesty King George VI.pdf1.92 MB
ROY-COR-1-7. Death of His Majesty King George VI and accession of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.pdf2.05 MB
ROY-COR-1-8. Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.pdf23.48 MB
ROY-COR-1-10. Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Civilian representative.pdf1.57 MB
ROY-COR-1-11. Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Applications for coronation seats.pdf1.09 MB
ROY-COR-1-12. Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Award of coronation medals.pdf1.5 MB
ROY-COR-1-13. Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Defence force representatives.pdf1.9 MB
General
Government Files
ROY-GEN-1-1. His Majesty the King meets with accident while inspecting his troops in the field.pdf181.52 KB
ROY-GEN-1-2. Accident to His Majesty the King.pdf125.08 KB
ROY-GEN-1-3. Message from His Majesty the King.pdf171.66 KB
ROY-GEN-1-5. Forwards notification of adoption of new designs of Royal Arms.pdf1.93 MB
ROY-GEN-1-7. Sir Jehangar Hormasji Kothari Kt OBE. Visit of to Falkland Islands.pdf390.09 KB
ROY-GEN-1-8. Colour print of His Majesty the King. Presentation of copy of.pdf399.05 KB
ROY-GEN-1-10. Transmission of messages to King Haakon of Norway on Norwegian national occasions.pdf1.21 MB
ROY-GEN-1-11. Flying of flags on Government and public buildings.pdf1005.54 KB
ROY-GEN-1-12. Royal portraits.pdf4.11 MB
ROY-GEN-1-13. Buckingham Palace garden parties.pdf5.37 MB
ROY-GEN-1-14. Petitions to Her Majesty the Queen.pdf696.86 KB
ROY-GEN-1-15. Visit of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh 1957.pdf5.92 MB
ROY-GEN-1-16. Visit of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. Dress.pdf160.09 KB
ROY-GEN-1-17. Visit of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh 1957. Press arrangements.pdf640.26 KB
ROY-GEN-1-18. Visit of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. Exhibition at gymnasium.pdf1.17 MB
ROY-GEN-1-19. Visit of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. Ships stores and provisions.pdf397.92 KB
ROY-GEN-1-20. Visit of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. Accommodation in Stanley.pdf567.1 KB
ROY-GEN-1-21. Visit of HRH Duke of Edinburgh. Fox Bay programme.pdf212.49 KB
ROY-GEN-1-22. Visit of HRH Duke of Edinburgh. Colony ball.pdf434.16 KB
ROY-GEN-1-23. Visit of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.pdf6.43 MB
ROY-GEN-1-24. Royal visit. Police instructions.pdf1.7 MB
Photographs
PC-056. Duke of Edinburgh Royal Visit 1957 Commemoration Album.pdf17.05 MB
Disclaimer
While every effort has been taken to ensure accuracy the Jane Cameron National Archives does not accept responsibility for any errors or omissions in these records.
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